Old meets new at Butterland factory conversion

Consider yourself a dreamer? Many of us are. Our series, The Converted, takes you on a journey to discover some of Australia’s most spectacular building conversions. It’s a place where the dreamers and the doers collide.

From factories to fire stations, we take you on a tour through unique residential homes that are worlds away from their original purpose.

We’ll meet the owners and show you how, through sheer determination, skill, grit and a healthy dose of imagination, they’ve transformed offbeat spaces into stunningly unique places to live.

Butterland

In this episode we unearth a historic factory located in Newstead, in Victoria’s picturesque shire of Mount Alexander. It’s just under a two-hour drive north west of Melbourne.

The building, originally constructed in 1904, was once the biggest dairy producer in the region, providing butter and cheese for surrounding homes and businesses.

Transformation

In 2010, furniture maker Greg Hatton and his partner florist Katie Marx, who were based in Melbourne’s inner suburbs, took possession of the site.

Modern and historic details are lovingly juxtaposed in this unique building. Picture: Erinna Giblin

They fell in love with the rustic beauty of the historic space and could see the potential in saving the structure. They set out to transform the towering red brick building into something entirely different from its original purpose.

Fast-forward eight years, and the talented couple are still perfecting the space.

Greg and Katie with their two daughters. Picture: Erinna Giblin

The bathroom is a delightful jungle of greenery. Picture: Erinna Giblin

The building's proud, original exterior is an unassuming suspect for the delights inside. Picture: Erinna Giblin

The bathroom is a delightful jungle of greenery. Picture: Erinna Giblin

Transforming spaces into child-friendly areas. Picture: Erinna Giblin

The sump tank is used as a pool. Picture: Erinna Giblin

A welcoming and rustic event space. Picture: Erinna Giblin

A homely yet functional kitchen. Picture: Erinna Giblin

The concrete bench top uses gravel quarried from local sources. Picture: Erinna Giblin

A functional and modern kitchen space is used for catering during events. Picture: Erinna Giblin

The factory's original furnace is still operational 100 years on. Picture: Erinna Giblin

Butterland: The affectionate name of the property. Picture: Erinna Giblin

A sprawling country estate in historic Newstead. Picture: Erinna Giblin

The front area of the building is a base for Greg's furniture-making business. Picture: Erinna Giblin

What they’ve created is a home with personality, a bespoke event space, room for two small businesses and a child-friendly home for their two young daughters.

Nods to the past

Hatton and Marx have worked hard to maintain and celebrate the proud history of the building, keeping much of the original structure intact.

The sump tank is transformed into a pool for the family to enjoy on a hot summer’s day. Picture: Erinna Giblin

The towering chimney reflects the building’s industrial past; the furnace, which was the heart of the dairy back in the day, is operational as an oven; and the sump tank has been transformed into a pool for the family to seek much-needed relief on hot summer days.

One of the kid’s bedrooms features restored wooden beams from the original factory. Picture: Erinna Giblin

The couple have maintained the building’s honesty, featuring original materials wherever possible. For example, original beams from the factory have been restored and refurbished in all the interiors, and stones from the local quarry have been used in the cement bench top.

Looking to the future

The couple have been careful not to ‘over-renovate’ – keeping rustic details like this. Picture: Erinna Giblin

The space is now operational as a venue for weddings, events, concerts and photo shoots as organised by Hatton and Marx.

Due to high demand they’ve had to cap the number of weddings they host at 12 per year.

The busy couple also have their own small businesses in furniture making and floristry, while also looking after their daughters, who both adore the space.

Loved this? Watch this space for bi-weekly episodes of The Converted.

This week’s episode of The Converted is proudly sponsored by Telstra.

We’re thrilled to partner with Telstra to bring you our new hero series, The Converted, every Tuesday. If you’ve ever wondered what life might be like living in a church, butter factory or fire station, The Converted is your ultimate place to get inspired. Every Converted episode and article is created and written by the realestate.com.au team and sponsored by Telstra. You can make any house – converted or otherwise – a smart home with Telstra Smart HomeTM + broadband. Keep an eye on things at home when you’re out, check you’ve turned off your appliances and closed your windows or make it look like you’re at home, even when you’re not. It’s just one of the ways Telstra is helping everyone experience the magic of technology.

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